'Golden Promise' was an extremely successful barley cultivar in the UK, being on the National Recommended Lists for over 20 years It was developed by David Miln & Co (Seedsmen) Ltd, Chester, England by irradiation of the cultivar 'Maythorpe' in 1956 Seeds of 'Maythorpe' were y-ray treated (6-24 krad) and the irradiated seeds grown-on and selfed for several generations Several mutant types were produced and 'Golden Promise' was developed from the mutant line 759/4 which was selected for its short stiff straw, good malting and yield characteristics The short, stiff straw can be attributed to the 'Golden Promise' erectoides gene (GPert) which has pleiotroptc effects on yield and quality components. The GPert gene is located on barley chromosome 7 (5H), it is inherited recessively, and is thought to be a mutation in a 'Maythorpe' height gene.